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Ford evaluating new Fiesta RS?

Word coming in from across the pond has it that Ford is working on developing the business case to create a new Fiesta RS. The development is encouraged by the extremely positive reception the existing Fiesta ST has garnered to date, and the emergence of the above-pictured Fiesta RS WRC rally car, but it'll take more than goodwill to make a more extreme version a reality.

According to Auto Express, a new roadgoing Fiesta RS would almost certainly be based closely on the ST version, albeit with some vital differences. Its 1.6-liter turbo four would be increased from 180 horsepower to somewhere around 230 hp, and that powertrain would be accompanied by lightweight alloys inside blistered wheel arches, a stripped-out interior and possibly lightweight bodywork.

The vehicle's approval would reportedly require a strong business case in Europe, and not just in the UK where Ford hot hatches traditionally enjoy a strong following. It's unclear whether the Fiesta RS would potentially make the transatlantic voyage to American showrooms, but between it and the larger Focus RS, hopefully the Blue Oval wouldn't leave its home market out of the action altogether.

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Of course its not coming to the US... we never get the cool special edition cars, even from american manufacturers... we get shafted every time. Heck at this point I would settle for a 3 door fiesta ST like what is offered in Europe (we only get the heavier 5 door version). But a 3 door Fiesta RS would be magnificent!

Good to see Ford is evaluating a more turbo-delicious Fiesta ST. Hard ta top Mitsubishi and my Lancer GTS for sporty, fun and cornering on a dime, but small and sporty is hard to beat. This car could send me back to a domestic purchase again.

I wouldn't put them in the same category, really. The GTS is a real porker for a compact car. I love it but I rented a regular Fiesta and it was an experience that was enjoyable in a much different way. Plus the CVT robs any fun you could have exiting a corner.

I'd like to see the Fiesta ST get the axe and have Ford focus on normal Fiestas and the Fiesta RS.
I understand they want to have an offering at every possible price point -- but seriously, who wants an ST if you could get an RS instead. And if Ford limits itself to one performance trim line (the RS), there should be some theoretical cost savings rather than offering both the ST and the RS.

I doubt an RS would be offered in the US.
In Europe though, both models would be embraced as it has previously when the Fiesta XR2i and RS Turbo/RS 1800 spearheaded Ford of Europe's B-segment campaign. The C-segment Escort had no fewer than four sports models in its line-up, with the Si, GTi, RS2000, and RS Cosworth models in the hierarchy.

I generally disagree when people say how distinct European and American buyers' tastes are. However, this may be good point of differentiation. We here in the US also have models with multiple 'sport' trim lines but there is only small fragment of a percent of people who are going to put a large amount of money into an enhanced economy car (a Fiesta, for example). Sport models with no real substance (ie VW's new Passat Sport or the Toyota Corolla S) generally can only support a very minor price difference over non-sport trim lines. In Europe, for whatever reason, there are a lot more people willing to spend a large amount of money on upgraded economy cars.
That's ok and I'm not saying the ST and RS can't co-exist. I, a person unlikely to buy either of these, would prefer to see more focus. The half-step ST, despite being a great car, is much less inspiring when Ford steps back and shows they can do so much more with the same car and an even spicier version of the same engine.

In my eye the new 2014 and the all new, 2015 Ford fiesta ST and RS are the best all around mini sports car made in my eye's. I had planed to purchase a new 2014 or wait and grab a 2015 RS with the revised 1.6 liter's 230 HP + Engine. With 230 HP. If they can get the curb weight down around 2200 to 2300 pounds that's 9.56 pounds weight per Horsepower. Low four second 0 to 60 times and possibly a quarter mile sprint in the mid 11 second quarter mile and speed around 18 to 123 mph!?!? A estimation on my best thought of top end mph based on 0 to 60 speed and seconds took to get there.
197 wheel HP to 230 wheel HP is not a huge jump in power some 33 HP would be easy to find with a BAMA computer flash plus a K&N air filter, low restriction exhaust mufflers. No smog check here so catalectic converter's off. But I'll leave the quick warm up exhaust shouter valve. and all factory connections still bolted up in there stock locations. $800.00 dollar up grade to said parts used and my own installation of said parts. Cheap, cheap $$$ spent or wise money spent. I'mbarris some strong running v8's out there.My two cents worth.

I love ford's range of ST cars but I think its about time they offer true rally sport (AWD) versions of their cars. I say that because they offer AWD in family cars and cuvs, why not their ST cars? Are they too cheap or too coward to go that route?